Can There Be Only One?

Chapter 64

As soon as Duncan went to sleep I left him a note and went on my way, walking down the streets of Paris to find Kalas or this M person. I constantly felt people were watching me, no matter where I went and I couldn't shake the feeling. I went to the church where Darius passed and I prayed for the first time in forever. I prayed for a good ending to this all, I prayed that I could protect at least one innocent person. Once I was done I went to leave the church but saw a note on the door from M and I tore it down and read it aloud.

Maria Enache,

I am sorry about your friend,

Hugh Fitzcairn was a good man and I wished that this didn't happen,

I look forward to meeting you at the Latin Quarter,

M,

I already knew something was off about the note, mostly because he suddenly put my last name on it. I went outside and realized it was probably Kalas.

1701: "You made that?" I questioned and Kalas looked back at me and chuckled as I pushed his door open more.

"I made all of these," he said looking around the room.

"They are identical to the real ones. How did you... how did you manage to do that?" I sat next to him and looked at the work he was duplicating now. He looked at me and I just stared at the intricate lines he drew, knowing exactly how to forge the real one.

"I hear you know how to paint," he said and handed me a paint brush. I looked at it and took it, feeling a little more comfortable in the church. He walked over and handed me some color and a canvas. I began to paint my castle and we both sat there and painted for hours. When he was done with his he would pick up a new scroll or piece of paper and would copy that one, but I was stuck on my castle. I felt Darius suddenly and Kalas looked at me and I looked at him.

"Don't worry, it is just Father Darius," I said and he walked in and I resumed painting.

"How did you do that?" Kalas asked and I shrugged my shoulders.

"Do what?" Darius asked and walked up behind me, watching as I painted.

"She sensed it was you," Kalas said and Darius put his hand on my shoulder. I finished the painting of my castle and stared at it, proud of it.

"You are a special one, Maria Enache... I am lucky that I found you," Darius said and I looked at him and shrugged my shoulders again, walking out to my room where I hung up the painting. I stared at it again and sat next to Kalas again, painting once more.

"Maria, you are very talented," Kalas said and I nodded, continuing on the painting. I saw Kalas look at Darius out of the corner of my eye, but continued. I didn't really like it there yet, but I had nowhere else to go, so I stayed. I was warming up to Darius, Kalas and Paul, but it would still be a while before I could confide in them. I began to paint when I died and Duncan was by my side, which turned out to be better than the painting of the castle. I painted Connor when I trained with him and loved that one just as much. I heard Darius call for me so I stopped the painting of my Mother and filed to the main part of the church where Paul and Darius were sitting. I felt Duncan and turned around to see him in the doorway. I smiled and he smiled, hugging him as he walked up to me. I wanted to cry, but I didn't, letting go of him and stared him in the face.

"I see you have stayed with Darius for some time." I nodded and looked back at him. Darius smiled and walked over, putting his hand on Duncan's shoulder.